Social Learing Theory Revision Sheet

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS: People learn by observing a models behaviour (either live or symbolic) Reinforcement and punishment have indirect effects as well as direct ones Learning does not necessarily lead to a change in behaviour. Research Bandura Aim: to investigate whether behaviour such as aggression is learned through observing and imitating of others. Method: The subjects studied in the experiment involved 36 boys and 36 girls ranging in age between 3 and 6. The 72 children were then split into 3 groups. 2 groups were put into an aggressive model scenario one group with an adult model that was rewarded for their behaviour and another group in an adult model that was punished for their behaviour. The final group was then used as a control group and would be exposed to a nonaggressive model scenario. Result: Bandura found that the children exposed to the aggressive model were more likely to act in physically aggressive ways than those who were not exposed to the aggressive model. Conclusion: This experiment showed that males are drastically more inclined to physically aggressive behaviours than females.Research Method: Scientific Experimental Methods ­ many behaviourist psychologistsuse laboratory experiments. Many favour observational research techniques in laboratoryconditions as it gives researchers the opportunity to isolate and examine the differentinfluences on observational learning.Strengths: It covers a wider range of explanations such as the importance of cognitive factors rather than suggesting we have no control over our behaviour. The social learning theory is a seen as a valid theory, as an explanation of personality development is supported by scientific research carried out by Bandura.Limitations: Bandura's theory cannot be applied universally to every individual's personality development. Its questionable whether vicarious reinforcements are consistent enough to change behaviour Experiments take place in a controlled environment, and sometimes doesn't reflect processes that take place in an everyday environmentApplications: Social learning theory has been applied extensively to the understandingof aggression and psychological disorders, particularly in the context of behaviormodification. It is also the theoretical foundation for the technique of behavior modelingwhich is widely used in training programs.